Operation Pointe Maisonnette

From Wikipedia…

Pointe de Maisonnette was the focal point of a minor naval operation during World War II which saw vessels of the Royal Canadian Navy ambush U-536 in late September 1943 as part of what is known as the Battle of the St. Lawrence.

Canadian military intelligence and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) intercepted mail addressed to several Kriegsmarine officers (including Otto Kretschmer)

Otto Kretschmer

imprisoned at the Camp 30 prisoner of war camp at Bowmanville, Ontario in early 1943. The correspondence detailed an escape plan where the prisoners were to tunnel out of the camp and make their way (using currency and false documents provided to them) through eastern Ontario and across Quebec to the northeastern tip of New Brunswick off the Pointe Maisonnette lighthouse where the POW escapees would be retrieved by a U-boat.

Canadian authorities did not tip off the POWs and detected signs of tunnel digging at Camp 30 shortly afterward. All POWs except one were arrested at the time of their escape attempt; the sole POW who managed to escape travelled all the way to Pointe de Maisonette undetected, likely travelling onboard Canadian National Railways passenger trains to the Bathurst area. This POW was apprehended by military police and RCMP on the beach in front of the lighthouse the night of the arranged U-boat extraction.

The RCN provided a U-boat counter-offensive force (code-named “Operation Pointe Maisonnette”) that was led by HMCS Rimouski (K121), which was outfitted with an experimental version of diffuse lighting camouflage for the operation.

HMCS RIMOUSKI

HMCS Rimouski

Type: Corvette

Class: FLOWER Class 1939-1940

Displacement: 950

Length: 205.1

Width: 33.1

Draught: 11.5

Speed: 16

Compliment: 6 Officers and 79 Crew

Arms: 1-4″ Gun, 1-2 pdr, 2-20mm, Hedgehog

Pendant: K121

Builder: Davie Shipbuilding and Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Que.

Keel Laid: 12-Jul-40

Date Launched: 03-Oct-40

Date Commissioned: 26-Apr-41

Paid off: 24-Jul-45

Remarks: Focsle Extended, Liverpool, NS, 28 Aug 43

Additional Information:

The task force led by Rimouski waited in Caraquet Harbour, obscured by Caraquet Island, the night of 26–27 September 1943 and detected the presence of U-536 off Pointe de Maisonnette while shore authorities arrested the POW escapee.

U-536 managed to elude the RCN task force by diving just as the surface warships began attacking with depth charges, however the submarine was able to escape the Gulf of St. Lawrence without making the planned extraction.

HMCS Louisburg

I had received this comment on my blog Souvenirs de guerre…

Someone had written this comment:

My father, who survived the sinking of HCMS Louisbourg in the Mediterrean  in 1943, did not have very happy memories of the contemptuous and injust way Quebec sailors were treated on their ships and even after the war.

My father sustained an injury to his backbone, and his lungs were affected by toxic fumes caused by the fire on board the ship. This French-Canadian who was decorated never received a war veteran pension and we had to live in poverty until we settled in Sept-Îles during the industrial and housing boom of the town.

My father was even sent to the brig in Gibraltar because he defended himself against a Canadian who was constantly insulting him and other francophone crew members!!!

My father died in 1973.

This person never wrote back.

I went on sailing on Google and found a lot of pictures.

Here are a few…

HCMS Louisburg…

This how it was called, HMCS Louisburg and not Louisbourg.

Here is a painting I also caught in a net on the Net…

This is a list of sailors who died.

Flower Class Corvette
Builder: Morton Engineering and Dry Dock, Quebec City PQ
Commissioned: 2 Oct 1941
Fate: Torpedoed off Oran 6 Feb 1943
Casualties: 2 officers, 35 ratings, 5 RN

The Casualty Roll

AB	ALDRED	L.	V 22924	RCNVR	ONT,TORONTO
STO 1	ANDERSON	A.F.	V 14692	RCNVR	BC,VANCOUVER
L/SIG	ANDERSON	C.F.	V 8276	RCNVR	ONT,HAMILTON
OS	ANNABLE	G.C.	V 33367	RCNVR	QUE,MONTREAL
AB	BANKS	M.A.	A 4891	RCNR	BC,VANCOUVER
AB	BENJAMIN	S.	V 2320	RCNVR	NB,ST JOHN
AB	BETTESS	E.	V 24438	RCNVR	MAN,WINNIPEG
L/CDR	CAMPBELL	W.F.	O 11898	RCNVR	SASK,SASKATOON
STO 1	COURNOYER	R.	V 4453	RCNVR	QUE,MONTREAL
ERA 4	FORREST	G.A.C.	V 33125	RCNVR	QUE,MONTREAL
ERA 4	GARDEN	R.V.	V 25691	RCNVR	NS,ENFIELD
OS	GAUVIN	J.M.R.	V 35564	RCNVR	QUE,MONTREAL
TEL	GILBERT	W.M.	V 13821	RCNVR	ALTA,CALGARY
AB	GRAVES	C.S.	A 1369	RCNR	NS,NEW GLASGOW
AB	GRIFFIN	E.F.	V 22559	RCNVR	ONT,TORONTO
AB	HALL	J.	V 18600	RCNVR	ONT,BELLEVILLE
AB	LEWIS	W.E.	V 1595	RCNVR	PEI,ALBERTON
STO 1	MacGREGOR	D.	V 19596	RCNVR	ONT,WINDSOR
SIG	MacLEOD	G.I.	V 319	RCNVR	NS,SYDNEY
STO 1	MacPHAIL	S.J.	V 456	RCNVR	NS,PICTOU
CODER	MacPHAIL	J.A.	V 1588	RCNVR	PEI,QUEENS CO
AB	McCLELLAN	J.F.	4612	RCN	SASK,MOOSE JAW
LS	MacDONALD	D.M.	V 6251	RCNVR	ONT,OTTAWA
AB	McDONALD	R.J.	V 11491	RCNVR	SASK,SASKATOON
CERA	McNEILL	D.	V 23718	RCNVR	QUE,VERDUN
CODER	MERRYWEATHER	H.	V 12751	RCNVR	ALTA,EDMONTON
OS	MORIN	J.G.E.V.	V 3985	RCNVR	QUE,LEVIS
O/TEL	NINIAN	T.M.	V 13776	RCNVR	ALTA,CALGARY
SIG	PATERSON	R.L.	V 24617	RCNVR	MAN,WINNIPEG
STO 2	RICE	S.N.	V 31943	RCNVR	ONT,TORONTO
TEL	ROBINSON	E.	V 22987	RCNVR	ONT,TORONTO
PO TEL	SMITH	A.J.	V 9368	RCNVR	MAN,WINNIPEG
L/S	STEVENSON	J.C.R.	V 5282	RCNVR	NS,HALIFAX
AB	TANNER	J.A.	V 22913	RCNVR	ONT,SAULT STE MARIE
AB	VIKSTROM	J.R.	V 33099	RCNVR	QUE,MONTREAL
STO	WATSON	N.R.	V 9654	RCNVR	MAN,WINNIPEG
LT	WILSON	E.	O 78775	RCNR	ONT,OTTAWA

The HCMS Louisbourg was part of the Flower class.

HCMS Levis

It was built by Morton Engineering and Dry Dock, in Québec. It was commissioned on October 2, 1941.
The Louisbourg was torpedoed off the coast of Oran on February 6, 1943.

Ernest Alvia Smith 1914-2005

Victoria Cross – Second World War, 1939-1945

Ernest Alvia Smith

Ernest Alvia “Smokey” Smith was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, on 3 May 1914. He was the only private soldier to earn the Victoria Cross in the Second World War.

The action occurred in Savio, Italy, on 21 and 22 October 1944 as a forward company of the Seaforths Highlanders on the German side of the Savio River attempted to consolidate the bridgehead. It was suddenly counter-attacked by three German tanks, two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry.

Despite heavy fire, Smith led his PIAT (anti-tank projector) group across an open field to a suitable defensive position.

PIAT

His men then found themselves face to face with one of the German tanks coming down the road, its machine guns blazing. Smith held his ground, and at ten metres range fired the PIAT and disabled the tank. The group then moved out onto the roadway, firing tommy guns and forced the enemy to withdraw in disorder.

Smith died in Vancouver, British-Columbia on 3 August 2005.

Citation

“In Italy on the night of 21st/22nd October, 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River.

The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objectives in spite of strong opposition from the enemy.

Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies.

As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared almost hopeless.

Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his Piat Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the Piat could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion, and obtained another Piat. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith’s comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the Piat and hit the tank, putting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out onto the road and with his Tommy gun at point blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith’s position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.

One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack.

No further immediate attack developed, and as a result the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the eventual capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River.

Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later.”

(London Gazette, no.36849, 20 December 1944)

Click here for the source…

The battle of l’île Vierge, the night of June 8 and June 9, 1944

If you read French, you can read the story of this naval battle. HMCS Haida was part of it.

Here is the link to the first episode.

Every Sunday after that, I posted a new episode.

This is the link for the second episode.

Today’s episode is the 5th one.

The story is from Yves Dufeil. He wrote a book on naval warfare in the English Channel. His book is out of print, but he sent me this chapter to put in my blog Souvenirs de guerre.

D-Day revisited… The comments

Here are a few of the comments about D-Day found on the blog.

Comment:

Our father was on bloody Omaha at H+12.

He was the platoon leader of an anti-aircraft battery. His mother knew when he was crossing the channel. She paced the hall outside her own parent’s bedrooms with tears streaming down her cheeks. She knew.

Dad told us about the bodies stacked like cord wood – the mines that kept going off as some infantry veered from the ‘safe’ single column paths that lead from the beach.

We owe so much.

May those who stood above that beach, today – prove themselves worthy of the honor of representing these men and the country and freedom they fought and died for.

Comment:

My father-in-law (now deceased) piloted one of those landing ships at Omaha. He never talked about the experience, but my mother-in-law related that he filled up the landing craft with men, motored to the beach, dropped the gate — and watched most of the men get mowed down, or drown. At times he had to pull his service revolver to force a terrified soldier to disembark. His craft was bracketed by shore artillery and missed annihilation by a few feet. Then he pulled up the gate, motored back to the troop ship, and repeated the whole process, time and time again.

My wife’s mom said he was never the same after he came back from the war. Small wonder.

These were extraordinary men, to whom we owe a great debt. Their kind no longer lives, replaced by a weak, self-absorbed, arrogant generation and their like-minded offspring.

God help us.

Comment:

Gerard – Thanks for this – a few years back a roommate took up work as a traveling insurance salesman. Up in the Mt Vernon (WA) area he met an old guy who drove one of those amphibious tanks on Omaha beach that morning. The old guy told my buddy the following and my buddy passed it on to me when he got back to our house that evening.

The old guy told about hitting the beach that morning with him and his tank and crew getting stuck in the shallows; they couldn’t figure out why they weren’t getting blown up since everying around them seemed to be exploding. So they drew straws and the old guy (as a young soldier, of course) drew the short one. He undid the tank hatch and peeked out to see what was going on. Turns out their tank had stalled just beyond angle reach of the German guns (not sure which weapon – could have been the 80 mm tank or the multiple barrel mortar). He said he could see from the flashes up on the bluff where the Germans were trying to get them but they couldn’t. Meantime he said he saw the body body parts of American soldiers flying. Then the old guy started crying.

How do you begin to pay homage to such men?

Comment:

My dad was one of the paratroopers (82nd Airborne) who went in behind the beaches before the D-Day armada arrived. I cannot imagine the raw terror of finding yourself in the dark in enemy territory over a mile from the place you should have been dropped, trying to locate your buddies, and avoiding drowning in flooded marshes with a fifty-pound load on your back. And being no adrenalin-fueled adolescent but a man in your early thirties with a wife at home waiting for you.

He took me to see The Longest Day the year before he died– of a premature heart attack brought on by memories of the war, so the coroner said. I remember asking him after the movie whether he was afraid when he jumped out of the glider in the early hours of the invasion. He said, “Courage isn’t not being afraid– it’s doing what you have to do anyway.” I have never forgotten those words, and I have tried to live up to his gift. He gave me more than just my biological existence– he helped to shape my soul and spirit.

Gerard, thank you for another splendid post.

Comment:

Over at The Belmont Club is this wonderful story of what two women burrowed in the French Underground were doing in preparation for D-Day:

http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/06/06/waiting-for-d-day/#more-4335

Look at their pictures, and be struck by their stunning beauty. Look in particular at Violette Szabo because of whom she bears a striking resemblance to.

D-Day revisited…

I stumbled on this last month…

It was an article on a blog.

June 6, 2009

June 6: A walk across a beach in Normandy

Today your job is straightforward. First you must load 40 to 50 pounds on your back. Then you need to climb down a net of rope that is banging on the steel side of a ship and jump into a steel rectangle bobbing on the surface of the ocean below you. Others are already inside the steel boat shouting and urging you to hurry up.

Once in the boat you stand with dozens of others as the boat is driven towards distant beaches and cliffs through a hot hailstorm of bullets and explosions. Boats moving nearby are, from time to time, hit with a high explosive shell and disintegrate in a red rain of bullets and body parts. The smell of men fouling themselves near you as the fear bites into their necks and they hunch lower into the boat mingles with the smell of cordite and seaweed.

In front of you, over the steel helmets of other men, you can see the flat surface of the bow’s landing ramp still held in place against the sea. Soon you are in range of the machine guns that line the beach ahead. The metallic dead sound of their bullets clangs and whines off the front of the ramp. And the coxswain shouts and the bullhorn sounds and you feel the keel of the LST grind against the rocks and sand of Normandy as the large shells from the boats in the armada behind you whuffle and moan overhead and the explosions all around increase in intensity and the bullets from the guns in the cliffs ahead and above shake the boat and the men crouch lower and yet lean, together, forward as, at last, the ramp drops down and you see the beach and the men surge forward and you step with them and you are out in the chill waters of the channel wading in towards sand already doused with death, past bodies bobbing in the surf staining the waters crimson, and then you are on the beach.

It’s worse on the beach. The bullets keep probing along the sand digging holes, looking for your body, finding others that drop down like sacks of meat with their lines to heaven cut. You run forward because there’s nothing but ocean at your back and more men dying and… somehow… you reach a small sliver of shelter at the base of the cliffs. There are others there, confused and cowering and not at all ready to go back out into the storm of steel that keeps pouring down. And then someone, somewhere nearby, tells you all to press forward, to go on, to somehow get off that beach and onto the high ground behind it, and because you don’t know what else to do, you rise up and you move forward, beginning, one foot after another, to take back the continent of Europe.

If you are lucky, very lucky that day, you will walk all the way to Germany and the war will be over and you will go home to a town somewhere on the great land sea of the Midwest and you won’t talk much about this day, or any that came after it, ever. They’ll ask you, over the long decades after, “what you did in the war.” You’ll think of this day and you will never think of a good answer. That’s because you know just how lucky you were.

If you were not lucky that day you’ll lie under a white cross on a large lawn 65 long gone years later. Weak princes and fat bureaucrats will mumble platitudes and empty praises about actions they never knew and men they cannot hope to emulate. You’ll hear them, dim and far away from the caverns of your long sleep. You’ll want them to go, to leave you and the others to their deep study of eternity. Sixty-five years? Seems like a lot to the living. It’s but an inch of time. Leave us and go back to your petty lives. We march on and you, you weaklings primping and parading above us, will never know how we died or how we lived.

If we hear you at all now, your mewling only makes us ask, among ourselves, “Died for what?”

Weak princes and fat bureaucrats, be silent and be gone. We are one with the sea and the sky and the wind. We march on.

Next time, we will look at some of the comments I found on that blog.

Kenneth Arthur “Ken” Boomer pilot over Kiska…

Found a Website about World War II aces and about one Canadian ace…

This is the page on Ken Boomer.

Kenneth Arthur “Ken” Boomer

Ken Boomer – who got the only Canadian “home court” kill – in the cockpit of a P-40
RCAF    S/L    –    DFC ,   Air Medal  (U.S.)

Born in Ottawa, 20 August 1916.
Enlisted in Ottawa, 9 October 1939.
Trained at Camp Borden,
Earning his wings 29 April 1940.
Sent overseas, September 1940,
Serving in Nos. 112, 1 (C) and 411 Squadrons.
Returned to Canada, April 1942.
No. 111 Sq. (Alaska), 17 Aug. 1942-31 May 1943
Took over command of the squadron from H T Mitchell
On staff duties until January 1944
– when he was posted to No.36 OTU.
Posted overseas, April 1944,
Trained further at No.60 OTU, and
Posted to No.418 Squadron, 20 August 1944.
Killed in action (Day Ranger), 22 October 1944.
– Nav. Noel Gibbons (RCAF) also killed
(Gibbons had claims with J Johnson, F Johnson & R Gray) See magazine Airforce, Volume VII No.2 (June 1983)

Two Enemy Submarines Hit When Caught near Harbour Surface
Alaskan Defence Command, Sept. 28, 1942 — (Delayed – CP) —

First announced success of a Canadian pilot in operations against the Japanese in the Aleutian islands, Wing Cmdr. Kenneth Boomer of Ottawa, blasted a Japanese fighter out of the air in last Friday’s American – Canadian raid on Kiska, it was disclosed today.

Led By Veteran
Wing-Cmdr. Boomer, a veteran of the Battle of Britain, led the Canadian airmen who joined a strong force of United States army fighters and bombers who attacked the Japanese. Before returning to Canada he shot down a German plane in November, 1941.
Two enemy submarines in Kiska harbour were believed damaged by the joint allied force which caught them on or near the surface, United States air force officers said.

Personal Strafing
One submarine came up directly underneath a squadron headed by Lieut-Col. Jack Chennault, son of Brig.-Gen. Claire L. Chennault, former leader of the American volunteer group Flying Tigers who fought in China. Chennault proceeded to strafe the submersible himself. Meanwhile, he ordered his fighter squadron into a combat circle around the surprised submarine.

One Ship Beached
Each of nine planes made three strafing attacks on the undersea ship which rolled on the surface, apparently afraid to dive because of a number of holes in it.
(A Washington navy communique in announcing the Friday raid said yesterday that in addition to the submarines two transports or cargo ships were attacked at Kiska and one was beached. It said the attack was carried out by a strong force of bombers and pursuit planes.)

A second squadron of fighters led by Major Wilbur Miller used similar tactics after sighting another submarine. Although results of this attack were not definitely known, the submarine was seen to be sinking slowly and may have been mortally hit.

Shore Targets Hit
Chennault also got one of the Japanese float plane fighters which rose to greet the raiders. Both Americans and Canadians who have been itching for action during months of patrol and guard work over Alaskan posts, took part in the raid. Wing Cmdr. Kenneth Boomer of Ottawa, leader of the Canadians, sent a third fighter spinning into the bay. In addition the raiding force struck at seaplanes on the water. Air force reports said at least five and possibly more were destroyed. Shore installations were also hit with fighter planes going in low ahead of the bombers and strafing positions violently.

_________________________________________________
Canadians in Kiska Attack Led by Doughty Ottawa Flier
Alaska Defense Command Headquarters, Sept. 29, 1942 —

Squadron Leader Kenneth Boomer, R.C.A.F., who commanded the Canadian fighters which joined the United States Air Forces in the attack on Japanese submarines and planes in Kiska harbor last Friday, is a native of Ottawa. He is personally credited with one Japanese plane to add to his overseas bag of a German bomber, an assist in the destruction of a Messerschmitt and damage to three other Nazi aircraft.
Squadron Leader Boomer, who is 24 years of age, is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Boomer of Ottawa, and he attended Ottawa schools and later graduated from Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph. He joined the R.C.A.F. in October, 1939, and proceeded overseas in October, 1940. He saw considerable action with fighter squadrons and returned to Canada this year, being posted to Alaska after a short leave.

The combined American-Canadian attack was most successful, two submarines being attacked heavily by cannon and machine-gun by fighter planes before they crash-dived. While the extent of their damage was impossible to ascertain it is certain that it was heavy. The communique stated that in addition it was estimated that 150 Japanese had been killed or wounded and extensive damage was inflicted on various aircraft.
The attack resulted in the destruction of several Japanese single float fighters, the possible wrecking of eight cruiser type biplanes and the shooting down of three Japanese fighters which attempted to oppose the attacking forces. A merchant ship was set on fire and another was damaged. The combined attacking squadron returned undamaged.

There is a lot more on the site…

Nothing on the horizon… Well that’s what I thought

Have a very nice Thanksgiving with you loved ones…

No article for the weekend

There is always my blog on genealogy with Herm Sulkers’ niece Evelyn if you want to read something.

If you can read French, then go and click here…

My article is about Luc Courcy who was a soldier of the Régiment de Hull. He was part of the invasion force of Kiska in 1943.

To learn more about the invasion of Kiska, click here.

I did just that…

and found Henri Richard, a Canadian war hero. He went to Kiska also.

This is the Home Page… it’s worth a detour. You will find lots of pictures about the invasion of Kiska.

His ancestors came for Cap-St-Ignace in Québec. He lived with his parents in Ste. Genevieve, Manitoba.

This is on the site…

A Proud Canadian

Henri and his family just prior to his departure for Europe.

(Click on the photo for a larger version)

Henri was born on his family’s homestead near Ste. Genevieve, Manitoba. He was the first born to Henri and Elisabeth Richard. Henri was also the older brother of six siblings, and he was the twin brother of his brother Roger who died at birth.

Henri was conscripted into the Canadian Army on 11 Feb 1943. But, as the government had dictated at the time, he was only conscripted for “home service” unless he volunteered to go overseas. It must have bothered Henri to be one of the soldiers who had not signed up for overseas service. For Henri this must have been very difficult. It was against his family’s wishes for him to go overseas, but he was a proud young man.

As part of his “home service” Henri was assigned to the Winnipeg Grenadiers and tasked to go to Kiska, Alaska to fight the Japanese. Once Henri returned from Kiska he was determined to sign up for overseas service. He got his wish in the Spring of 1944 when he was finally dispatched for Europe. On Aug 8th, 1944 he found himself on a battlefield in France.

Back home in Ste. Genevieve, Henri’s father was proud of his son, having served in the Canadian Army himself during the First World War. Henri’s mother was understandably worried about him. Both parents held out hope though, because the Germans were on the run. Some optimistic reports said that the war would be over before winter.

But the Germans were not yet defeated. Henri was one of the unlucky many who were killed during this war. On Aug 28th, 1944, just 20 days after he arrived in France, Henri was killed in the Foret de la Londe, near Rouen, France.

Henri’s family has missed him dearly over the years. To this day they still find many ways to commemorate his devotion to his family and his country. Through this website, visits to his gravesite and most recently a visit to a peninsula named for him by the Manitoba Government, Henri shall live on as a lesson for us all.

Lest we forget

In memory of
Private
HENRI JEAN  RICHARD
who died on August 28, 1944

Military Service:

Service Number: H/204685Age: 23Force: ArmyUnit: Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

Additional Information:

Son of Henri L. and Elisabeth Richard, of St. Boniface, Manitoba.

Private Henri Richard’s grave.
The following words are inscribed at the base of the cross (hidden by the flowers on the photo):
Née à Ste. Geneviève, MB. Foi sincère, dévouement sans bornes.

Click on the photo

I got this forwarded message… and I thought I would forward it along…

Pictures of the attack on Pearl Harbor

PHOTOS STORED IN AN OLD BROWNIE CAMERA

Thought you might find these photos very interesting, what quality from 1941.

Pearl Harbor Photos found in an old Brownie stored in a foot locker.
THESE PHOTOS ARE FROM A SAILOR WHO WAS ON THE USS QUAPAW ATF- I THINK THEY’RE SPECTACULAR!”

Here is a site that posted these photos and the story…

I was always fascinated by the attack on Pearl Harbor and how the Japanese could keep this a secret knowing that the Americans might have cracked the Japanese codes.

Well…

Getting back to these pictures, I don’t believe they came from the same camera.

This photo I had seen before…

Click here

So…

Also, I think that the sailor who took them had a lot of time on his hands and had to move quickly around Pearl Harbor to take all those pictures with bombs falling everywhere and Zeros strafing, all this while trying to borrow a delta plane from a friend to take the aerial photograph…

As I was searching the Net for the truth and snooping around, I found…

this site, Snopes. com, that arrives at the same conclusion…

Mind you though the pictures are awesome.

Click here for a video of the attack.

Life in the prison camp

This is the text I found on Stuart A. Kettles’s Website.

I will add the pictures that were sent to me by Jim L’Esperance’s son and daughter.

AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR IN GERMANY
Prepared by MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE, WAR DEPARTMENT 1 Nov 1945

MARLAG, UND MILAG NORD (Naval Personnel)

image from this site

LOCATION
The camp was situated at Westertimke (53deg 51min North latitude – 9deg 67min 51sec East longitude) 30 miles southwest of Hamburg and 10 miles north of Bremen. It was well placed on sandy ground planted with pine trees. On 10 April 1945, the majority of PW was evacuated toward Lubeck, but many of the personnel who were unable to march remained as a unit until liberated by the British on 14 April.

STRENGTH
Created for the confinement of Navy and Merchant Marine personnel only,-the installation under normal conditions had a capacity of 5300 and in emergencies of 6900. According to official figures of the Protecting Power, the strength in April 1944 was 4268 and in Dec. 1944, 4223 with 41 nations and races represented. In April 1945, approximately 1900 RAF officers were removed from Stalag Luft III at Sagan and were accommodated in this camp. In Sept. 1944, a large group of civilian internees was brought in from Gironagny and placed in the Ilag. At no time were there more than 71 Americans from the Navy and Merchant Marine in this camp, and on 2 April 1945 two American Air Corps officers were imprisoned there, the first non-naval American personnel to arrive. A month before liberation the camp held 35 American Merchant seamen and 9 regular service personnel including: Maj. Peter Ortiz and Lt. Walter W. Taylor of the Marine Corps and Lt. (jg) Richard M. Harris, USNR.

DESCRIPTION
The entire camp, which was constructed in the autumn of 1942 and subsequently added to, consisted of 7 lagers as follows: Lager I, Dulag, which was used as an interrogation and transit compound; Lager II, Marlag, housing personnel of the Royal Navy; Lager III, Milag, for the confinement of Merchant Marine personnel of the various nationalities; Lager IV, Milag (Inder), accommodating Indian seamen of the Merchant Navy; Lager V, Wache, for the camp guard; Lager VI, Kommandatur, the administrative officer for the entire establishment; Lager VII, Stabslager, living quarters for the administrative personnel of the entire establishment. The Marlag Lager for the Navy PW and the Milag Lager for Merchant Marine PW each had compounds designated as Marlag “O” and Marlag “M” and Milag “O” and Milag “M” for officers and enlisted men respectively. When the 1900 RAF officers arrived, PW from Marlag “M” were transferred to the Ilag compound and the British fliers were accommodated in Marlag “M”. Each compound consisted of several sturdily built one-storied wooden buildings which were well-lighted and heated. There were 29 of them in Marlag and 36 in Milag. The majority of them were used as barracks for the PW while the others were kitchens and dining rooms, ablution barracks, guard barracks, storehouses, postal section and other administrative buildings. Each building used as living quarters comprised many rooms accommodating 14 to 16 officers or 18 men of other rank. There were two and three-tiered bunks furnished with palliasses of straw with washable covering. Two blankets were issued each man and some PW had an extra Red Cross blanket. Personally owned blankets were rare. Cleanliness was the rule and for the most part the barracks were well kept although at times the palliasses were infected with vermin. The entire camp was surrounded by barbed wire and the Marlag and Milag compounds were also separated by barbed wire. Within the lagers, the compounds for officers and men were also separated by wire. In addition each compound had a barbed wire cattle fence about a yard high placed about 4 yards inside the outer fencing. PW were not allowed to go beyond the cattle fencing. Placed at the corner of each camp were watchtowers with machine guns and searchlights, which were always turned off during an air raid warning.

GERMAN PERSONNEL
At first: the camp was commanded by Kapitan zur see Schuhr, a regular German navy officer who was severe but considered by PW as just. After his transfer the personnel was as follows:

Camp Commander : Fregatten-Kapitan Schmidt
Second in command : Korvetten-Kapitan Kogge
Security Officer : Oberleutnant Schoof
German Physician : Stabsarzt Dr. Trautman
Accompanying Officer of the G.H.C. : Major Bosenberg

Kapitan Schrnidt was short and fat and looked like a pig. He weighed about 290 pounds, was five feet nine inches tall. about 54 years old and had grey hair. The security officer, Oberleutnant Schoof, was about 61 tall, weighed about 150 pounds and had a very thin long nose, dark skin and black hair. The PW did not come into contact with other members of the camp personnel. When the camp was first formed the camp guard comprised NCOs and men from naval artillery units. These men, between 45 and 55 years, were unfit for frontline service. In addition about 30 members of the German marine forces were distributed throughout the camp as cooks and clerks. Later on the guards at the camp were of the Wehrmacht and wore the uniform of this ground force organization. According to observations by PW there were 8 guards around the enlisted men’s barracks going on duty at 0730 hours and remaining there until 1800 hours. Armed with pistols, they patrolled the barracks area and sometimes entered them. There were 2 guards along the inner fence of the enlisted men’s compound. Shifts changed every 2 hours. Twelve guards patrolled as sentries along the outer fence around the compounds at all times. The guards were old and were for the most part German farmers recently inducted into the Wehrmacht although some of them had been veterans of the first World War. As a rule the guard personnel was changed about every six months. PW traded with the guards whenever they would come into the barracks and talked to them quite openly.

U.S. PERSONNEL

The compounds were administered by English personnel who filled the staff positions. Ph.M. 1/C Charles H. Carter was the American MOC in Marlag, “M” and Joseph Ashworth, of the U.S. Merchant Marine Corps, was American MOC in the Milag compound. The basic unit for organisation was the barracks and the barracks’ chiefs were all English inasmuch as the number of American PW in the 2 compounds was so small.

HEALTH

In general the health in the camp was very good. There were a few cases of tuberculosis in the hospital, which was in the Milag section of the camp and was operated by the British, and also a very few cases of dysentery. The American MOC in Marlag “M” acted as the doctor for the Americans. All dental work was done by an English dentist. It was reported by those who had been to the hospital that the treatment was quite good, but the hospital ran short of medical equipment and supplies. Washing facilities were in a separate building in the camp. In this building were 3 cold showers which the men could use at any time and 53 water spigots. The men received what was supposed to be a hot shower once a week, but the building where the showers were situated was a quarter of a mile from the camp and 3 parties of 25 men each would be taken down at one time. Therefore, the men who went in first were the only ones to get a hot shower, because when the others came later the water was cold. The latrine, which was in a separate building, consisted of 47 stools over a hole in the ground. They were cleaned out about once every 2 weeks. Drinking water was plentiful and was available at all times except the one period of 3 weeks in Dec. 1944 when the Germans claimed that the pump was broken and needed repair. At that time the water was on only during certain hours of the day.

FOOD
The usual German ration existed in this camp. Breakfast comprised 2 slices of bread, half a cup of ersatz coffee and sometimes a small piece of cheese. For dinner the prisoners had soup made out of turnips and potatoes, and for supper each PW was issued three potatoes. About once a month a little horsemeat and sugar was issued. The meager rations ‘were supplemented by Red Gross parcels, the food of which was prepared by PW on the stoves in the barracks.

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The German issued no clothing to the PW although there was a great demand for winter overcoats and warm garments. Red Cross shipments were received quite regularly and distribution was made of the necessary clothes to each PW. The English had set up a shop to repair shoes and there was also a tailor shop in the camp. The Germans did not confiscate any uniforms of the prisoners who were allowed to keep whatever clothing they had.

TREATMENT

The treatment of PW was correct. There were no indications of any disciplinary actions having been taken against American PW. The guards were older men and would do, favours for the PW for cigarettes. Consequently there was a sort of mutual understanding and as long as the PW did not cause any trouble they were not interfered with by the Germans.

WORK & PAY
PW from Marlag and Milag never worked outside of the camp, but when they were asked to do so they refused. Seamen 2/C were made to do work within the camp but the Seamen 1 C did nothing except work on cleaning details and KP within the barracks. Those PW who worked received 40 pfennings per day, and according to statements of some they received 7 marks 50 pfennings a month. The money was in camp currency and could be spent ‘in the PX operated by the Germans. In Nov. 1944 the Germans stopped issuing camp currency and paid the PW in German marks. No man was ever allowed to have more than 30 marks in his possession.

RECREATION
In each compound there were sports fields where the PW could play baseball and volley ball. A great deal of equipment was supplied by the Red Cross and YMCA. Other exercise was obtained by walking around in the enclosure during the day, and toward the end of the war the Germans permitted the PW to walk outside the compounds under guard. They would give the guards cigarettes for the privilege of taking these walks and at times would go as far as 2 and 3 miles from the camp but never near any town. Plays were put on by the PW in the camp theatre. They also had a band, using instruments issued by the. Red Cross and those purchased by the British from the Germans. A well stocked library.(3000 volumes),was. run by the British. In regard to education. there were 19 men giving instruction in 25 separate courses, which included languages, mathematics, commercial subjects, vocational, economic and scientific. Classes were very popular and well attended. Textbooks for these courses were obtained from the Red, Cross and YMCA.

MAIL
In general the delivery of mail was very erratic. The average number of letters received per man per month was 7 and required as many as 61 days for transit. Parcel post packages required about 43 days in transit. PW received 2 letter and 4 card forms per month, while the medical staff received a double ration of the forms. The Germans were quite regular in issuing these forms and at times additional ones could be obtained from PW who did not desire to use theirs. There were no restrictions on the number of incoming letters a PW could receive and the letters could be kept indefinitely. German. civilian girls censored incoming as well as outgoing mail.

RELIGION
Two small chapels, one for Protestants and the other for Catholics, were in the ,camp. Protestant church services were held in the morning and evening of every Sunday. In addition prayers were held every night and there was a mid-week “fellowship discussion group” meeting. The YMCA provided hymnals and prayer books and at Christmas time provided hundreds of booklets with Christmas carols. An English chaplain served as minister. A French civilian internee was the Roman Catholic chaplain; Mass and benedictions were .held each day.,

WELFARE
Representatives of the Protecting Power came to the camp about every 3 months. They made fairly rigid inspections and received oral and written complaints from the Senior British officers and the Men of Confidence in the individual compounds. The German staff usually accompanied the Swiss representatives when they made a tour of the camp. Complaints about food, clothes, sleeping accommodations, the need for fuel and other matters were turned over to the Germans. In chronic cases the complaints were acted upon promptly but in other cases, particularly in regard to the coal situation, action was promised but never fulfilled. According to statements of PW, they felt that the Swiss representatives were doing all they possibly could but were handicapped by the Germans in the High Command. The Red Cross and the YMCA were particularly helpful in regard to the welfare of the PW. Recreational supplies, books and clothing were provided whenever requested, and whenever representatives of these 2 organisations came to the camp, PW had ready access to them and could usually obtain whatever they requested.

EVACUATION & LIBERATION
On 8 April 1945, the German camp commander notified PW that the camp was to be moved to Lubeck. The few Americans in the camp were to have marched along with the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy personnel. PW who were unable to march were to remain in the camp under German command. The first day out of the camp the column was strafed by British planes and a great deal of confusion resulted, with most of the men going back to the camp. Some Americans escaped and hid out in the woods west of the camp. They spent several days there but when they became sick from drinking stagnant water they decided to give themselves up. Upon their return they found the English in complete control of the camp.

“SOURCE MATERIAL FOR THIS REPORT CONSISTED OF INTERROGATIONS OF FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR MADE BY CPM BRANCH, MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE, AND REPORTS OF THE PROTECTING POWER AND INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS RECEIVED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT (Special War Problems Division).” Taken from the general introduction to camps.